Erik's squad update ahead of Arsenal trip

Saturday 21 January 2023 17:00

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the Reds are in a good way on the eve of Sunday’s heavyweight clash at Arsenal.

United take on the league leaders at the Emirates Stadium at 16:30 GMT, looking to extend our current unbeaten run to 11 matches. 

Ten Hag’s side remain the only team to get the better of Arsenal in the Premier League this season – winning the reverse fixture 3-1 in September – and Erik says our preparations for this weekend’s fixture are now all but complete, as we go searching for a similar result this time around. 

Speaking to club media ahead of our trip to the capital, the boss was asked if there is any fresh team news for the clash with the Gunners.

Erik: We’ve beaten Arsenal without Casemiro

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Ten Hag remains confident that his side can get a result in the capital on Sunday without the suspended midfielder.

“Not really. I think we have good squad, a competing squad,” he said on Saturday afternoon, in an exclusive interview which you can see in full from Sunday morning.

"As you know, Casemiro is absent, but for the rest, we have a good team who has to battle with Arsenal. 

“We have to go head-to-head, and we are convinced we are in a good way. 

“We have a prepared team and a good plan and energy, and we will be acting [that].”
Jadon Sancho returned to team training at Carrington this week but will not be involved in Sunday’s match, according to Erik.

Ten Hag is looking forward to seeing the winger back on the pitch but says there is still “a way to go” and that our no.25 will not be rushed.
Training highlights: Next up, Arsenal Video

Training highlights: Next up, Arsenal

Training highlights | It's great to see Jadon Sancho back with the lads, working hard at Carrington...

“It is the next step. He still has a way to go,” he said.

“He will know that, but when he makes this progress, then he can return in the group for games. 

“Of course, we all hope that, because he is a great footballer. He has great skills that can help us. 

“We have to cover so many games, but especially we need quality players, and he is definitely a quality player who can make the difference and we are expecting that from him.”

You can see Erik's full pre-Arsenal Q&A with club media from 07:00 GMT on Sunday morning, on ManUtd.com and in the United App.

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